The Coffee Conundrum

When you’re looking for ways to save money, you will often come across the same three basic tips that everyone swears by: make your coffee at home, bring your own lunch to work, and use public transport. And while these tips are great and will often save you some cash, most bloggers don’t go into any actual detail about how to make these tips work. That’s where I come in…



Let’s look at coffee for starters. I’m a self-confessed caffeine addict, and I can’t go without at least two cups per day. There was a time where I would buy at least one of these cups from a nearby coffee shop; that is, until I did the math.

I’m a latte girl myself, so my order would usually come in at around $5, and that doesn’t seem like a lot of money. But it adds up quickly; $5 per day equals $25 per week, and with 52 weeks per year it was around $1300 PER YEAR I was spending on this habit.

Of course, your spending might be different, but even at a basic $3.50 tiny flat white, you’re coming in at $910 per year.

And this doesn’t take into consideration the ancillary products that are available at a coffee shop. I can’t count the number of times I entered a shop for a small drink only to walk away with a large cup plus a cookie.

But these facts aren’t new to anyone who is looking to save money. I could talk about the negative ramifications about buying coffee shop coffee until the cows come home, but the truth is it’s a hard habit to break.

If you work in an area that’s close to a coffee shop, then you’ll likely be tempted by the sweet smell of delicious coffee every morning, not to mention the usual ‘coffee break’ routines that you tend to pick up if you work in an office type environment.

And then there’s the downsides of taking your own coffee into work. Most instant coffee taste like dirt, and you’re got to lug around a huge thermos for the whole day.

But like it or not; making and taking your own coffee into work can save you money, and the sooner you get into the routine the sooner it will become habit. So let’s look at some ways we can turn this money saving tip into a technique:

One: Let’s change the way we look at coffee.

Not all coffee was created equal, and the same goes for instant coffee. Many brands are falling over themselves to create a better tasting product for you to enjoy, plus many chain restaurants like Starbucks and Gloria Jeans have released their own products for you to use at home. Do your research and ask your friends and family what brands they recommend.

Two: Get a thermos you’ll enjoy using.

Whether you prefer a handle or not, there are thousands of different types and styles of thermos for your drinking pleasure. Do your research and shop around. In this instance, the cheapest probably isn’t going to be your best option. As the saying goes; you’ve gotta spend money to save money.

Three: Hide your stash.

With over 70% of respondents to a survey by Peapod saying they’ve been a victim of office theft, the thought of bringing in a tin of coffee only to have it stolen seems like waste of time and money. Try hiding your instant coffee mix in a locked draw, or if you’re using sachets try putting them in a makeup bag or a similar place where someone wouldn’t think of looking.

Lastly, if you’ve got to partake in purchased coffee, ask about ways you can save. Many coffee shops offer discounts to customers who bring their own mug, and many more have memberships that will reward you for frequent purchases. Just be savvy and try to use these sparingly; for example, try bringing in your own coffee every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and splash out on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Well that’s it for coffee tips for now.

Later on I’ll discuss the other money saving tips like using public transport (I can smell the bus already!) and packing your own lunch.

Leave a comment and tell me how you have saved money in the workplace, and I might write about it!

Thanks for reading, 

Kathy